Trains are a familiar sound around here, but that wasn’t a real train-just a piece of wood carved to sound like one. (With a little power from human lungs.)
And this is lettuce being chopped of course.
Nope, it’s a newspaper being gently hit with a knife.
And this.
Sounds like a fog horn, right? But it’s actually: PVC pipe, duct tape, a funnel, saran wrap, and a few other odds and ends with help from a YouTube video, patience and bit of ingenuity.
These sounds, and many more, are an integral part of the upcoming show “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” written by Joe Landry and staged by the Le Mars Community Theatre at the Plymouth County Museum.
This suspenseful show, filled with the action packed sequences of a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence and a devastating explosion, is really a triple feature highlighting Hitchcock’s: The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps.
Sound is a big part of making a radio play sound right, and this time the role of the Foley artist is being executed by Eddie McKee. Eddie seems to be settling into the job, having fun with it and using his previous on-stage experience to make adjustments as he learns.
Speaking of doors…
Yes, that’s an actual door making that sound, with the jingle of the bell being timed just right by McKee.
The role of Foley artist, named after the first guy to do it-Jack Foley, has an interesting history. The job was created out of necessity to dramatize radio plays in the 20’s. Recorded sound existed on phonographs then, but weren’t high quality or reliable enough to use. McKee says he’s excited to be a part of lineage.
McKee added that he likens the creative process of a Foley artist to that of a song writer.
When asked if he feels his role in this show is actually producing art, his response is priceless.
Poor guy. But not to worry- Eddie has plenty of time left with his instruments as audiences have four opportunities to see “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play” by Joe Landry next weekend, September 9-12. Thursday through Saturday are evening performances at 7:30 and Sunday’s matiness starts at 2. Tickets are on-sale now and can be reserved by calling the box office weekdays from 11-1 at 546-5788. Or click here: www.lemarslive.com at your own convenience for tickets. Seating is general admission for this show, which is being presented at the Plymouth County Museum. Le Mars Community Theatre hopes to be back in the Postal Playhouse for their next show.
For a full list of the cast and crew, and photos of Eddie and his “instruments” check out this story on KLEM1410.com.
The “Vintage Hitchcock” cast includes: Julie Albert, Trinity Brunsting, Dan Delperdang, Katie Frerichs, Alison Hanson, Bob Hill, Hope Johnson, Carl Johnson, Pete Laskie, Katrina Midland, George New and Candice Nash. (Yes that Candice, from our sister station KSUX’s Tony and Candice in the Morning.)
The voice of KLEM’s very own Dave Grosenheider also makes a guest “appearance.”
Joe Ouradnik is mixing the all-important sound elements of the show. Tracie Ritz has put on the hat of producer with Jennifer Scholten in the directors chair.
